Nadav and Avihu vs. Korach/0

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Nadav and Avihu vs. Korach

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Introduction

In two stories in Torah we are told of unauthorized personnel burning incense in the Tabernacle. In the first case, in Vayikra 9-10, two sons of Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, enter the Tabernacle to burn incense before Hashem, but they are eaten by a heavenly fire. In the second case, in Bemidbar 16-17, during Korach's rebellion, two hundred and fifty of his supporters attempted to bring incense to the tabernacle, but they too were consumed by heavenly fire.

Content Parallels

Literary Allusions

There are a number of linguistic similarities between the two stories:

  • In both Hashem appears to the nation using the language "וַיֵּרָא כְבוֹד י"י אֶל כׇּל הָעָם" or "כׇּל הָעֵדָה" (Vayikra 9:23 and Bemidbar 16:19). These are the only two places where such terminology is used.
  • In both, in response to Hashem's appearance, people fall over: "

Analysis

  • Degree of similarity – 
  • Distinctive phrases – 

Points of Contrast

Conclusions